Sounds like a toddler mom blog title but not me! No toddler involved here but rather adults. 3 different ones today, one of which went all PooPoo Picasso after some projectile diarrhea….twice in 2 hours time. Such can be the life of work with the elderly, especially memory care where their broken minds impact bodily functions and the ability to recognize they need a toilet.

My coworker and I were up to our eyeballs in dirty laundry, adult diapers, showers and never got to sit down. In fact the closest thing we had to a break today was using the bathroom ourselves. But sometimes doo doo happens. And the bad days only serve to make the good ones even better. It is hard until you remind yourself that these people honestly cannot help it. Many don’t realized they are incontinent, and in their right minds would be so devastated if they could see how they’d end up and what they would be doing. It can be tough working this side of heath care, it takes a huge heart and thick skin. Mostly the heart part. These are the people I love caring for so much. The ones who need reassurance that they are okay, their family knows where they are, yes their mother knows they are here (how awful to be 80+ years old and think you are in grade school or high school and your mom doesn’t know where you are at the moment). Loving them and helping them is why I pull myself out of bed early each day. They truly keep life in perspective for me in that I very much realize how blessed I am in this life and how small my own problems are compared to what they carry.

On a side note, Resolve carpet stain remover is amazing at lifting a poop stain from khaki colored scrub pants. Who knew? We didn’t have any Shout left so I grabbed that when the stain didn’t come out in the wash, rubbed it in and washed them again.

This is where I’ll be most of the weekend!

I cannot remember the last time I was so happy for the weekend. Two days off after working 9 straight is a welcome time! I have some health coaching work to finish up, and church this weekend, twice, but I get to sleep in! And I can take my laptop, phone and binder out on the deck to work, then curl up with my Kindle and read. But first things first, coffee! Making memories with coffee and talking with the other Divas, then the rest.

But none of this can happen if the marvelous one doesn’t get herself to bed for a rejuvenating night of sleep!

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I knew the day would come when my beloved phone would need to be replaced. I had a Galaxy Note and really liked it, all the features and I knew the Android software well. But the phone was starting to do reboots for no reason and the battery life was beginning to wane. It was also responding slower and slower over time. Wednesday I went to Verizon, paid the remaining $29 owed, and traded in my Note for…and iPhone 7 Plus. I joined the dark side I’m told.

It took a bit of getting used too, at times I found it a tad frustrating. But I love technology so I quickly learned my way around and I think it is safe to say I’m to be an iPhone user from now on.

I also made a purchase on Amazon, after criticizing the items, until I had actually picked one up and messed around with it. Yes, the marvelous one is now the owner of 2, fidget spinners. *hangs head in mock shame* I KNOW, it is insane, but I do find them very soothing. I bought 2, and I really like them!

Life here in the Diva Den has become very laid back of late. Mom lacks energy to go the long haul with us, and really doesn’t want to drag Matilda around with her (the bag that her peg-tube empties into) so we do a lot of hanging out at home. The steady stream of visitors in the form of family and friends is nice, and helps us to make memories. It probably is a good thing we are all introverts and need to be home in our nests to recharge. Right now, I’m at my desk, window open enjoying the cool air (it is August 6th and only 71 degrees), listening to birds, rain, and incoming air planes. Mostly just quiet and I like that a lot. My job can be really stressful and trying to build a coaching business while working full time and helping out at home means this girl needs down time to recharge her batteries.

I’m not sure yet what will happen when she is gone. Hanging on to all this house for 3 of us seems silly, and it is not a cheap home to maintain. Sis and I have tossed around several ideas to each having our own apartment in the same complex or sharing one, or even renting/buying a small house. Just not sure what we want to do and until we have to make a decision the whole thing just sits there waiting to be addressed. It can go on that way too, we simply are not ready to face that.

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When I started this job on April 13th, I said I would be willing to work on 2nd shift until the new neighborhood opened in our community, then I’d move to 1st shift. That was great until I actually worked on 2nd shift for a few weeks and realized that this is like having 2 full days in one! Sure, I have the same amount of time awake in a day as if I were working 1st shift, but it is very different in how it plays out. I’ll explain.

Working 1st shift, putting in 8 hours right out of the gate, left me tired and not wanting to do much after work. I had 5 or 6 hours before bedtime but my job is physically labor intensive so I was wiped out and spent the rest of the day trying not to fall asleep. Usually I’d dose off while crocheting or reading. Writing a blog post didn’t even cross my sleepy radar!

Now I rise after 8 to 9 hours of sleep, have 5 or 6 hours before work to crochet, read, run errands, hang out with my mom, daughter etc, then I go to work. I tackle that physically draining job on the last 8 hours of the day, then come home and I am ready to sleep. No insomnia (my brain and body are ready to seek the sandman), and I sleep SO deep and restful. I accomplish so much more in a day that it feels like I’ve had 2 full days in one!

Having the mornings free means I can do a lot of things, like zoo trips, shopping, etc., before work. These things were usually pushed off to my weekend off (every other weekend). And I can make it to church every Sunday even though I work every other weekend because I have time to go in the morning before I have to head off to work!

This works well for me because I no longer have children to raise, they are adults with kids of their own. I know it would not work well for a mom of school aged little ones as they’d not see them much, but for the person of the empty nest it is ideal!

One coworker is moving to 1st with the new wing opening and wanted me to join her, but I just cannot see myself giving up my current situation. Maybe when all the weight is off and my health is back in line to where I have energy all of the time like I do now. But right now, 2nd shift works wonderfully for me!

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For whatever reason, the 17 year cicadas that hit our area have decided to grace us with their noisy presence 4 years early this time. I don’t pretend to have any scientific knowledge as to the why, and not certain the scientist/professor at Mt. St. Joe college nearby does either. He studies them and asks if you are in the greater Cincinnati area, that you email photos and locations to him at cicada@msj.edu to help him in his study.

Being that this is Cincinnati, it isn’t a real shock that this is going on, after all we’ve been known to have the heat on in the morning and the air conditioning on in the late day. One week, in January, we had snow, then warmth, thunderstorms and tornadoes, then back to snow. Yes, in a one week period. We do weird here very well.

While incredibly creepy looking, they are harmless. They do not bite and pretty much all they do is provide a great deal of deafening noise with their little mating calls, and food for birds. It does freak one out if hit in the head as they fly past, and they seem to really lack navigational skills because you will frequently be dive bombed. And they are EVERYWHERE in the areas they emerge.

As a child, I was deathly afraid of them, but my brothers found them rather fun to play with, pulling off wings before squashing them. As an adult I was known to learn who was afraid, then catch them and put them in their office while they were at lunch. The unsuspecting victim always assumed it came in on their clothing. As a child of 4 years old, my son and his buddy across the hall in our apartment building would catch them and feed them to his friend’s piranhas. This was a source of endless amusement to them both.

Catching them is very simple, just pinch their wings together and pick them up. But be prepared as they will try to fly free, causing a strong vibration in your fingers and if you aren’t anticipating it you will let go on impulse.

My yorkie, Penny, when she was alive for one infestation, used to try to sneak them into the house to play with, but her mouth was so small we’d see the little legs wiggling out the sides. I admit, I look forward to letting one in the house to see how the cats deal with it, supervised of course.

Some folks in these parts actually eat them! Cooked, chocolate covered, even raw. BLAH! No thank-you I believe I will pass on that, um, delicacy.

So, as they are beginning to emerge, it will only get way worse before it gets better!

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It is 7:10pm, first day of daylight savings time, so my body and mind believe it is really only 6:10pm and I have to convince them this is not the case because I must be up at 4am tomorrow for work. Hoping the wine helps with this a bit.

I’ve been away from the blog for a while, wasn’t sure I was going to keep writing it but I’ve decided to stick around and try like crazy to post more often. Life has a funny way of invading your plans and priorities have to be addressed. Sadly most days writing is not the priority. At least folks can tell from my Instagram on my page that I have not died!

While I’ve been away, I had to patiently wait until my daughter passed the 3 month mark to let the world know that I’ll be a grandma for the 6th time come late summer/early fall. I am beyond over the moon about this, as the Nana gig is by far the most amazing yet. I am hoping for a girl this time, as we only have one girl in the mix, but a healthy baby is a joy regardless of gender. Early in April we’ll find out that secret and it is either buying more Bengals and Reds attire for a boy, or tutus for a girl. Well and yes sports items for her too because that is how we roll.

News flash…save your money and if you are into those Yeti tumblers, I can tell you that RTIC is just as wonderful and about 1/3 to 1/4 of the cost. I fill mine as I leave for work at 5am and that coffee is still hot at 9:45am in our daily stand-up meeting at work. If I use it for cold drinks, ice is still in it 12 hours later. Could be longer but I’m rarely one to let anything sit that long before consuming it. Really, save yourself a fortune! I’m making a series of cup cozies for that size tumbler, though they don’t need one as they never ‘sweat’ and are easily held no matter if it is a hot or cold drink inside. It is all about having a fashionable cup at that point! 🙂

Over the past week I was trying like crazy to come down with a rip-roaring sinus infection. Maybe the weather didn’t help as we had a few odd days with winter, then spring (even a tornado warning at work) then back to winter again. We are currently experiencing winter for those interested in what cue card nature is reading. The infection was growing, causing a headache, snot factory, and over all fatigue. In the past I have boiled water and put tea tree oil in it and inhaled the steam, but that can burn your skin and its uncomfy to breathe. So, on a whim I googled and found out I could put tea tree oil in my neti pot!!! One drop, per the many articles I found, or it can irritate the sinus membranes. But I did this twice a day over 3 days and could feel it draining away. Today I’m breathing freely and really amazed. NOTE: I am NOT a doctor and this is NOT medical advice…just passing along what worked for me, flush those sinuses with saline and tea tree oil at your own risk.

I’ve not been neglecting my shop, in fact I have several items to stock, just haven’t taken photos and built listings. Again, life has been in the way a bit but I now have the supplies for shipping and I’ll be placing these over the next few days. My daughter is starting to add things as well, so we’ll have some really nice items coming this week.

Speaking of her…she recently became a Jamberry rep. Like me, she has a passion for direct sales, but needed to find her passion for a product. Me, I’m back on Avon but that is another post. My baby girl LOVES the nail wraps and finally took the plunge to become a rep. And she is making money, which is no real shock as once you find your passion product you are going to do well. It doesn’t hurt that these sell themselves right off your finger nails. Seriously she has people stop her to ask where she got her nails done. I had tried them once but didn’t have a real clue what I was doing. Now, if you go to a party or search YouTube you will have it down. I let her do a manicure on me 2 weeks ago from her stock and was blown away. I wash my hands at work easily 30 to 50 times in a shift. The wraps held up great through it all. And trust me I am hard on my hands, they are my most used tool every day at work. I also bite my nails. So this helped me make it 2 weeks without biting them at all. I actually have some nail to work with today and she came over and did my nails and my mom’s with the wraps we purchased from her. Mom is going through chemo and her nails just are so thin and fragile now. We figure wraps will help to protect them and she found a color she loved. You can see how short my nails must have been by where they are today, with this new french manicure wrap on. I LOVE them!

My index finger is the shortest I have and I’m determined to keep at this to get something grown. I cannot go real long, as nails cause skin tears to our elderly residents, their skin is onion paper-thin so it takes so little to injure them. But I can have pretty nails! Each sheet is enough for 2 manicures with a few wraps to spare, and only $15 a sheet! Check out her shop, the selection is just incredible. You can do a Basic Bundle for only $58.50 and that includes 4 sheets of wraps, the mini heater, and all the supplies you need to do your wraps, so it is quite the savings!

Well the dryer is calling me with the song of its people, so time to get my laundry folded and tuck myself into bed for my day tomorrow.

Last night we finished the last episode of Blue Bloods on Netflix. We divas are huge fans of the show so we started at the very beginning and watched each season, a few episodes a night, over the past few weeks. Once we finished, we were a bit bored. Boredom and the Diva Den are not a very good combo.

3 of us are into Pokemon GO, so we went out hunting them, after dark, around midnight, after a thunderstorm, on our street. Because? Well a Pikachu was in our vicinity and we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to catch one! My niece was in shorts and a jersey, sis was wearing white jammie pants with tiny, navy blue hearts and navy blue top, also navy slippers. Me? The fashionista that I am, wore a black jammie top, baggie pink and white jammie pants with black cheetah print on them, black slippers with giant, hot pink bows on them (Hello Kitty baby!), what can I say, I looked hot of course! Our neighbors already think we are a bunch of crazy cat women, why disappoint. We did not get the Pikachu though, too bad.

And now? Same jammies, bed head, with my pink, Hello Kitty coffee mug full of my favorite daytime beverage, and a colby cheese on wheat toast sandwich. I know, you are jealous, but not everyone can be this sexy and cool. Just embrace your own inner freak and it will be okay. (those spots are not on the top, but on the mirror, which I clearly need to clean!)

I’m on day 2 of 7 off in a row! I need this break, not only to crochet and work on items for my shop, but to physically recover from working this job. My 53yo body cannot take a lot of that for an extended time without some chance to recover.

Now that the delivery has been made, I wanted to share the custom order By Hook & By Hand made. We were a tad nervous about how it would turn out in the earthy tones, especially for a baby blanket, but we were very pleased. The new mommy was too! Delivered in person, I got to meet and hold the little man who will snuggle in this blanket for many years to come, and see it in his room which is very close in color to the green in the blanket.

Coming soon, another Bavarian throw, a new baby blanket, more wash clothes and scrubbies, a poncho, and one very cool Halloween throw. Hoping to get a lot accomplished while off these remaining 6 days. Boo is working on the Halloween one at this writing, and I’m hooking the Bavarian. Coffee and hooking, the best therapy ever! Time to get to it, this day is slipping away fast. Y’all have a great one!

I’m not really sure why, but I’m cold today. No hot flashes to keep me warm (where are they when we actually need them?), and while it isn’t cold in the house, I feel chilled. Usually my heat vent in my bedroom is closed because I do get too warm, but not today. So here I sit in my pink Snuggie. Don’t laugh, it does keep me warm, along with this wonderful, hot cup of coffee on the desk. Those are paired with jeans, a sweater and my pink, Hello Kitty footie socks and Hello Kitty slippers. Admit it, you are insanely jealous!

This morning was a sleep in day, I made it to 8am and that was as late as I could manage. Considering it is 3.5 hours past my alarm for work days, it was fantastic! Coffee and mom time followed. Every morning that mom and I are both home and awake in the morning, is coffee time. We grab our cups and curl up in the arm chairs in our living room and talk. While my life is one giant, “this did not go as planned“, nothing could be better than having these years with her, on a daily basis, to laugh, share, and make memories. All too soon she will be gone, and thankfully I’ve been given a gift these past nearly 6 years, to be able to spend these final years of her life journey under the same roof.

We ran one errand today, heading to the grocery store to pick up about 3 items to make lime garlic chicken for dinner, though while we did get what we needed the plan changed first to walking tacos, then to steak burgers. We ended up buying $60+ of unplanned purchases, which included a scrumptious chocolate cake because when we found out it is National Chocolate Cake day today, well we didn’t want to miss celebrating. So, lunch included a plate full of baby-angels-in-the-mouth goodness. We were back in our arm chairs indulging in chocolate decadence and loving every minute!

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I’m blessed every day when I wake up and know that I rest in the grip of the One who created the universe and all things it holds.

My journey of late has gone through some intensive self reflection and prayer, as our church was gearing up for a new financial campaign. Too much to go into but you can watch it all on the church website, http://www.crossroads.net and you can download the app, Crossroads Anywhere, from the app stores, for free, and live stream services, do the study with us each week etc., if you are searching for a church home or just want a little extra.

During some intense, self guided prayer a week ago Friday, as part of that campaign, I really felt God was telling me some things. For one, keeping my spiritual life and ‘other’ life in individual blogs, may not be the best thing. My faith is part of what defines me. In fact it DOES define me. I’m a Christian who happens to be a single senior (per the AARP I am a senior citizen), a CNA, and a host of other hats I wear. But first and foremost, I’m the daughter of the Most High God. As such I needed to reevaluate how I use my social media and blogs.

I’ve made all apologies that I have to make. Some accepted them, others opted to ungraciously attack my motives. That is on them, and between them and God to sort out.

One thing I do know is that I’ve asked someone to keep me accountable to stop posting negative things about the goings on in the world, and start using my various social media forums for spreading encouragement, positive, and yes, faith based things. This may mean it is time to combine my 3 blogs into one (other than my Avon blog). It will mean a change in the title, URL etc, but never fear, that will be a smooth transition. Marvelous Martha, AKA – Marvi Marti, just happens to be a prodigal princess. A royal daughter of God who got lost and is now back where she belongs. I won’t remove any posts from the past, it is all who I am.

My spiritual journey blog has been renamed, The Prodigal Princess. It will also become far more active than it has been. At some point I just might combine both blogs into one, we shall see.

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Well okay she isn’t really getting married, but I was at an extreme lack of creativity when it came to a blog title today so that is what I came up with, don’t judge.

Creatively I’m just blank, flat lined, nada. Not sure what is up other than I think I’m still just exhausted from work. Pulling 6 days in one week, 12.5 hour shifts, and a week later I’m almost recovered. Mind you I’ve since worked 3 more such shifts but at least it was only what I was assigned, my normal hours. No OT this week, just wasn’t up to it.

Baby watch has started officially, as my daughter is crampy, lost her plug and is about 3cm dilated. Doc says any time is good and could happen. Well doc you are wrong, the next 2 days this Nana works and so grand baby #5 must wait until Wednesday, and at that point has 3 days he can arrive, before Nana works the weekend. Hopefully the baby got the memo.

My Henrietta is not running today. I fear a fuel pump issue and hope that is covered under warranty. Not sure and thankfully have enough cars in this house to still have a way to get to work and back. But I hate not having my baby, and had to have my son pick me up for church. Thankfully we all go to the same place!

The message this morning was a great one on marriage, the covenant that it is, and something the pastor said really impacted me. He talked about how two becoming one flesh is not just at the physical level, but it is deeply spiritual as well. This is why, he said, many still feel a pull toward their ex. I get that. It is why it is so devastating and why I think I’ve never quite gotten over it. My soul is still and forever linked to my ex-husband and in God’s eyes we are still one despite the courts ‘ending’ it. In God’s realm it isn’t over. I also think this is why I don’t ever feel ‘right’ in any relationship at a deep level, my faith gets in the way of that. My faith was very much a part of me even when the hubster and I had fallen far from the path, and deep down those vows were to God more than my ex. Now, when I try to love another man and be his, it doesn’t work well for me because on a spiritual level it isn’t right in my mind. I think it is likely I will never marry again because I had come into a relationship with Christ after my first marriage and know in the core of my soul that divorce is wrong wrong wrong in God’s eyes. It cannot now ever be changed as the ex remarried. And me? Well I just don’t know that I can ever honestly make that covenant again with another man, it simply wouldn’t be right. I’m rather thankful that one isn’t on my head as God takes the breaking of covenants very seriously. I recommend this message once Crossroads.net puts it up, for anyone married, thinking of marriage, or contemplating divorce. It was rather freeing though for me, to realize that may be the very reason I simply cannot find it in me to be joined to someone else. I try, and my heart wants what it wants, but the heart is deceptive and it just never quite fits. I’ve been the one to end 4 serious relationships since getting divorced, which tells me a lot. I’ve not given up that God may bring one to me, but I’m not going looking anymore. He has given me a lot to do for now, and a relationship wouldn’t bode well with all of that.

My job is one area I know that He has planted me for a purpose. I never would have guessed that changing dirty diapers and feeding older adults could be such, but it is a ministry and I love it. Some days I do wonder if God realizes that I am 52 years old and this is really a difficult job physically for an old chick like myself, but it is getting a bit easier. I’ve lost 11 pounds over the past 6 weeks so I can see where it is physically a good thing for me. It is also emotional. I have one of my own residents on hospice now, which is hard for me. I love this resident, and it breaks my heart to see said soul giving up. It is also hard to look at my 9 people and realize that some are in their 90s and this time next year 3 or 4 of them may not be here anymore. It is possible to do the job and not get attached but not sure how those aides do it. I am very attached to them and cannot imagine them not there to care for each week.

As my body and mind are adjusting I’m getting closer to a balance of life in the nursing home and outside. My Avon business needs a serious shot in the butt, however I just didn’t have the energy. It has had to be one or the other, and since one is bringing in a bit more money and has medical benefits, that got priority. I hate it. This week is mapped out to get Avon back on track.

That goes for writing my blog posts too, which is why it has been over 2 weeks since the Marvelous one posted. Not that I haven’t started any number of them, but just couldn’t finish before I decided to go to sleep. I’m working on that as well, as writing is therapy for me. I don’t need to tell you that my novels are on hold and will be for a bit. I do have a new twist to add though so stay tuned they will be out eventually.

Farmville 2 has kept me sane, though I admit to thinking “crap forgot to harvest the green beans” when headed to a resident room after morning report. Sad I know, but it is mindless and helps me unwind after a long day. I also have my blog about my job, The CNA Life, but haven’t written much there yet. 🙂 I will!

Okay off to grab a glass of wine and relax, maybe work on my planner decorating a bit, then it will be time to board the Dreamland Express and get some sleep. Praying for this week to smooth out and all things I’ve left in God’s hands to be handled…well that I won’t try to pull them back and just let Him answer those prayers.

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The little things in life just thrill my socks off, to me those little things make for the big things, memories.

Yesterday a very special and dear friend and I went riding on his motorcycle for several hours. I love being in the wind, it is therapy for me. We talked at length while we rode and stopped to grab a quick drink (water and energy drink). Relaxing and enjoyable, we share numerous memories riding the back roads together. He is one of those special, true friends I can call when crisis hits and he is there for me, and I’m there for him. One of the only ones walking who knows every deep, dark secret I have and never judges me for them, just loves and prays for me. We also share our faith which is great as we talk openly about it.

Today more memories were made after church when me and my kiddos went out of lunch. I love that we all worship together, even the ex and his wife though they were not at the same service with us today but usually they are and no that is not awkward at all. After services we hit one of our favorite places for lunch. I just love spending time with my kids and grandkids, they are jewels in my crown for sure. Nice to know too, in chatting, that my kids do not think I was a bad mom even though I know I made mistakes, they love me and see me as a good mother.

The memories of my grandson whispering across the table to me with his little mischievous grin that he took off his socks and shoes (a real sneaky thing to a 2-year-old), then later having to remove mac & cheese from his shoes before they went back on (guess he missed his mouth a few times) won’t be forgotten. I cannot imagine life without my family around me.

Great quote I heard on the way to services:

Joy is the best makeup ~ Anne Lamott

Yes, yes it is. And my life is full of joy, yes I really DO love my life. Nothing about it I’d trade right now, it is full of the wealth of blessings and love, memories and laughter, family and a few very good friends.